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SANTA CLARA, California (Ticker) -- The San Francisco 49ers today lost one of the
cornerstones of their coaching staff.

Bobb McKittrick, the 49ers' offensive line coach for the past 21 seasons, lost a long
battle with cancer. He was 64.

McKittrick had undergone several surgical procedures and chemotherapy
treatments since being diagnosed with the disease in January 1999.

He joined the San Francisco staff in 1979 and is one of only two coaches who were
members of all five of the Niners' Super Bowl championship teams. He spent 28
years as an NFL assistant, including stints with the Los Angeles Rams (1971-72) and
San Diego Chargers (1974-78) before helping build the line that protected Hall of
Fame quarterback Joe Montana and two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Young.

"Bobb McKittrick has been universally acclaimed as one of the great coaches of our
time," said 49ers general manager Bill Walsh, who had McKittrick on his staff for
three Super Bowl titles. "He was the most successful offensive line coach the game
has ever seen. His spirit and standard of excellence will always be a part of the
49ers tradition. He was a great man and will truly be missed by all of us."

Born in Baker, Oregon, McKittrick graduated from Oregon State in 1958 and
coached at his alma mater from 1961-64 before joining the staff at UCLA, where he
spent five years before turning his attention to the professional ranks.

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e panel would extend the date for
starting arbitration proceedings stemming from the team's claim that
the stadi um needs about $107 million in repairs.

That claim was not pressed during the 1997 campaign as a way of
enticing voters to back the new stadium plan and has not been pursued
since.

The 49ers still want a new stadium and say they do not want a fight
with the city.

``The 49ers and the city have enjoyed a good relationship for many
years,'' Reuben said. ``John and Denise York look forward to
continuing it for many years.''

Newsom asked mayoral aides how they could extend the arbitration
agreement without collecting the $1 million.

Reuben would not say so, but one reason is that if the team forced
the issue, the city very well could lose in arbitration and be forced
to pay millions of dollars to fix up the stadium.

During the 1997 campaign, Brown and Policy produced a consultant's
estimate that the stadium needed $107.6 million in repairs for
seismic safety and to bring it up to National Football League and
disabled-access standards.

``I'm desperate to find someone else to finance a new stadium,''
Brown said at the time. ``And I did,'' he added, referring to the
49ers.

Brown aide Julie Brandt said the city still wants to collect the $1
million and feels the arbitration extension is a good deal. ``This
agreement postpones arbitration. It allows the city to avoid any kind
of liability,'' she said.

Newsom and his colleague, Supervisor Mark Leno, put off a vote on
the agreements, at least until the committee's next meeting April 11.

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